"Lord." A general from the army galloped under the steps of the high platform, turned over and bowed down, and said loudly: "On this grand occasion, the clouds are vast and the sky is clear. It is a great opportunity to eliminate traitors and rebels. Then we will make an expedition to the Central Plains to the north and rule the world.
Report Qin Ming's important matters to the lord."
Qin Ming's voice resounded throughout the wilderness, and everyone in the civil service and military was shocked. Huang Yueying, a member of the world group, looked at Qin Ming and said to a young man next to him: "This young man is very handsome." The young man...
Gao Pei immediately said to Pang Tong: "That girl Fan Lixiang is going to be in trouble."
Pang Tong smiled with his uneven teeth: "General Gao, you are too stupid. Qin Ming can't play with that bitch Fan Lixiang."
"You mean Qin Ming will finish playing?"
"That's not necessarily true. It depends on what the emperor says. However, Qin Ming has been losing for a while. It's just uncomfortable to mention such a thing at this time. The emperor must be unhappy."
Gao Pei looked worried in his heart. He was a direct general of the Sichuan Army and didn't care about the fight between Qin Ming and Fan Lixiang. However, he knew the agreement between Pang Tong and Liu Zhang. Only when Fan Lixiang was done with it could Pang Tong surrender. In Gao Pei's case,
In my heart, of course Pang Tong was more important than Fan Lixiang.
So Gao Pei was really looking forward to Fan Lixiang finishing playing.
Liu Zhang waved to Cai, who stood aside. Liu Zhang looked at Gao Pei at the foot of the steps and let out a sigh. Liu Zhang couldn't be more tired of internal intrigues, but if he could use this opportunity to let the conflict that should break out break out.
It's not a bad thing to come out and solve it in one fell swoop.
Surrounded by four enemy armies, Liu Zhang did not want to waste time in Xiangyang.
"Speak." Liu Zhang's calm voice came loudly.
"Fan Lixiang, the commander of the army who was in trouble, secretly sent troops and horses across the Han River and disappeared. Now the Jingnan camp has less than 10,000 troops. He has privately set up a recruitment platform and recruited nearly a thousand soldiers. This will not be verified to be true. If
If there are any mistakes or omissions, I am willing to serve as a military judge."
"What is the crime for deploying troops or recruiting troops without permission?" Liu Zhang asked.
Li Yan came out of the queue and replied: "According to the law, you should be killed."
"What if he is a meritorious minister?"
"Return military power. Remove all positions."
Fan Lixiang was riding on her horse, unfolding her cloth fan and fanning her gently. Chen Ying said: "This Qin Ming is really a little chicken. He really dares to sue for trivial matters."
In Chen Ying's impression, Qin Ming and Fan Lixiang had a bad relationship. It was just because Qin Ming looked down on women as generals and the peasant army in Jingnan. But every time he wanted to insult Fan Lixiang, Fan Lixiang insulted him back. He couldn't do it again and again.
Taiwan, now it turns out that water and fire are incompatible.
"If he wants to play, just play with him. But I'm not sure about the master's opinion now. I'll leave it to you, Chen Ying."
Fan Lixiang didn't even look at Qin Ming, but just looked at Liu Zhang on the high platform. According to Fan Lixiang's understanding of Liu Zhang, Qin Ming's decision to report him in front of the family at this moment was purely because his brain was struck by lightning. Typical
It embarrassed Liu Zhang and the entire Sichuan army.
But for some reason, Liu Zhang seemed to be intending to follow Qin Ming's words.
Fan Lixiang never took Qin Ming seriously. Pang Tong was dissatisfied with him, which was what Fan Lixiang was worried about.
An idea came to Fan Lixiang's mind. If Liu Zhang deliberately made things difficult for him because of Pang Tong and Qin Ming's affairs, then no matter how he argued, he would lose in the end.
In public in Qin and Ming Dynasties, Liu Zhang had to punish himself in order to prove his crime. But if he really catered to Liu Zhang's thoughts, it would be a mistake.
"Yes." Chen Ying galloped out.
Fan Lixiang looked quietly at Liu Zhang on the high platform.
"Report to my lord. The 20,000 troops under General Fan have never fought and have never entered the Sichuan Army establishment. Since they have not entered the Sichuan Army establishment, how can they privately mobilize troops? As for privately recruiting troops, it is even more of a joke. My lord gave the order in Jiangling.
, all those who are proficient in writing and have skills, civil and military personnel at all levels, must be accommodated as much as possible without reporting in advance.
The people who have joined the Shenwei Army in the past few days are either literate or skilled craftsmen. I would like to ask Lieutenant Qin, does General Fan have the right to recruit privately? These hundreds of people have been registered and handed over to General Zhang Ren. Please ask the Lord to deal with them.
Qin Ming’s crime of false accusation.”
After Chen Ying finished speaking, Liu Zhang looked at Zhang Ren, who reined in his horse and came out: "General Chen Ying's words are true, and General Fan has indeed reported it to the last general."
"General Zhang Ren, why didn't you report it to the lord?" Qin Ming was a little angry. He had held a grudge against Fan Lixiang for a long time. This time he wanted to give Fan Lixiang some color, but he didn't expect that Fan Lixiang had been prepared.
Liu Zhang said calmly: "I grant Zhang Ren the right to deal with it freely. There is no need to report these small matters."
Zhang Ren was startled. In fact, Fan Lixiang gave it to him just before the ceremony started. Even if he reported it, he couldn't pick the time. At this time, he could only politely say to Qin Ming: "Qin Lieutenant, if necessary, I can
I'll show you General Fan's book." Although Qin Ming is only a captain, he is now an informant and has a special status.
Qin Ming remained silent.
Liu Zhang said in a deep voice: "Qin Ming has a humble official position and dares to speak out. Although the report is false, his loyalty is commendable. He will be exempted from the charge of false accusation and will be rewarded with a thousand dollars."
Liu Zhang saw from the high platform that the noble families were talking a lot. It was obvious that the Sichuan army had staged a farce because of Qin Ming's incident. He smiled faintly in his heart and said, "Let you see the joke first."
A plate of copper coins was brought to Qin Ming, which was given to him, but in Qin Ming's view, this was simply a humiliation to himself. Qin Ming was overjoyed and said loudly: "My lord, I will report the last general.
Fan Lixiang was greedy for three hundred taels of gold, which was a huge amount, so he was reduced from his position as usual."
"What's the evidence?"
Qin Ming glanced at the place where the aristocratic clans gathered. Sima Xiang came out, and Liu Zhang frowned slightly.
When Fan Lixiang saw Sima Xiang, she suddenly smiled and said to Xing Daorong, "We're fine."
At this moment, Qin Ming was dumber than a pig in Fan Lixiang's eyes. If he was not prepared, this move might indeed bring him down. For corruption, no one can intercede in public.
But what if he is defeated? If he is still in the Sima clan and is in league with a noble family, will he, Qin Ming, be able to survive in the future? Such an opponent can only make Fan Lixiang feel ridiculous.
"Sima Xiang, a common man, paid a visit to Uncle Liu Huang, the herdsman of Yizhou. A few days ago, I sent three hundred taels of gold to General Fan's camp. This event was witnessed by my two servants, the generals and soldiers under General Fan, and the people of Xiangyang.
"
Sima Xiang's head was still bruised, so he changed into expensive clothes, which could not cover the bruises on his face.
Li Yan stood condescendingly and said sternly: "Mr. Sima, aren't you openly bribing the general of the army? What crime do you deserve?"
Sima Xiang paid his respects calmly: "Master Taishou, I'm afraid it's inappropriate for you to speak like this, right? If I wanted to bribe someone, would I do it in front of so many people?"
Today, who doesn’t know that Uncle Liu is the most benevolent and righteous king in ancient and modern times, and that the Sichuan Army is the most benevolent and righteous army in ancient and modern times? Wherever the so-called benevolent teacher goes, the people try their best to help. Ordinary people give eggs, copper coins, ginger soup and vegetables. I, Sima,
My family is from a wealthy family in Xiangyang. So what if I give you three hundred taels of gold?
It's just that we sent three hundred taels of gold to the lord through the hands of General Fan, but up to now, we haven't seen General Fan hand it over. According to what the general under General Fan said, there has been no expansion of armaments. This must be General Fan.
It really chills my heart to line my own pockets."
Of course Sima Xiang is not stupider than Qin Ming. He is not here to help Qin Ming bring down Fan Lixiang. Sima Xiang has his own purpose. In fact, although the various clans did not unite together that day, they did not want to sit back and wait for death and provoke the Sichuan army.
The relationship between the military and the generals of the Sichuan Army is used to alienate the Sichuan Army. This is a method they are accustomed to using. This move cannot eliminate the Sichuan Army, but it will definitely weaken the Sichuan Army.
Some civil servants and generals from poor families who are weak-willed will alienate each other if they can, and stir up troubles if they can. But for a "stubborn" person like Fan Lixiang, this is of course a frame-up.
"Chen Ying, Sima Xiang sent three hundred taels of gold, is there anything wrong with that?" Li Yan asked.
Chen Ying hesitated and replied: "Indeed."
Sima Xiang smiled and said: "Common people, please ask this general. What did I say when I handed the gold to General Fan?"
Chen Ying said dullly: "The first is to clear up the misunderstanding. The second is to clear up the guilt. Three hundred taels of gold will be used to support the Shenwei Army."
"Here." Sima Xiang clapped his palms: "The common people have made it very clear that the reason why they sent those three hundred taels of gold was because Uncle Liu Huang and the Sichuan Army officers misunderstood me, Sima Xiang and my Sima family. Then
Three hundred taels of gold means that our Sima family unconditionally supports the Sichuan Army and is used to recruit troops and buy horses for the Sichuan Army.
The Sima family is loyal to the emperor, but the general said just now that General Fan did not recruit troops, but only hired a few hundred craftsmen, and did not hand over the three hundred taels of gold to the emperor Liu. This is really disappointing.
The old man still remembers that day when General Fan threw gold at the old man, and his attitude of treating money like dirt. The old man still remembers it fresh and takes it as a warning. But now, did the three hundred taels of gold disappear at the gate of the Shenwei Military Camp?
?"
"Folks, I'm afraid you all saw it wrong that day." Sima Xiang shouted loudly to the people watching around him.
Liu Zhang pricked his ears. He really didn't expect that old man Sima Xiang could have such strong explosive power. Fazheng sat aside and stared at his nose and heart, like a student who was distracted in class.
The people around were talking a lot and looking at Fan Lixiang. They didn't think that the heroine in their hearts was that kind of person. However, Sima Xiang's words were indeed irrefutable. The three hundred taels of gold were indeed sprinkled at the gate of Shenwei Army and then disappeared.
of.
Firstly, the army was not expanded, secondly, it was not handed over, and thirdly, it was not registered. Apart from corruption, what other explanation is there?
Chen Ying had nothing to say. With a faint smile on his face, Sima Xiang cupped his hands to Liu Zhang and said: "Uncle Liu and the common people warmly welcome the emperor to station in Xiangyang. It is really unexpected that such a thing happened, but as long as the emperor is willing to clear it up,
Even if you are a black sheep, we all support Uncle Liu Huang, right?"
Sima Xiang shouted to the world clan, and those clan members responded one after another, "Support Uncle Liu Huang, and get rid of the black sheep." Huang Yueying glanced around, found it interesting, and raised her fist and shouted several times: "Clear the poor horses, get rid of the black sheep..."
..." Several young people around him immediately jumped aside.
Liu Zhang enjoyed listening to the compliments of the nobles. Among his subordinates, Zhang Ren was upright, Yan Yan, the veteran general, did not understand the ways of the world, Fazheng dared to push himself into the mud, not to mention the civil servants Wang Lei of Chengdu, none of them
If you say flattering words to yourself, you can only hear it from the mouth of the world every time, which can be regarded as soothing to the body and mind.
Liu Zhang closed his eyes and said nothing. He was waiting for Fan Lixiang to explain, and he was very sure that she could explain, because Fan Lixiang loved power but not money. Why did she want those few hundred taels of gold?
The people around looked at Fan Lixiang, who had not spoken for a long time, and their voices of doubt became louder and louder. Many people had a strong look of disappointment on their faces. Some families had already given portraits to Fan Lixiang, which made them even more sad at this time.
Finally, Fan Lixiang slowly drove her horse out and dismounted slowly. Her face was filled with pain and she was about to cry. With her bright and innocent face, she was immediately targeted by thousands of eyes.
Fan Lixiang knelt on the ground, not facing Liu Zhang, but facing the people. She kowtowed three times, raised her head, and shed tears on her face.
Sima Xiang snorted coldly, "Do you think it's useful to regret at this time?" The revenge of the humiliation that day can finally be avenged.
Sure enough, when the people saw Fan Lixiang kneeling down, they thought she was begging for forgiveness. Their disappointment became even stronger, and many people sighed.
"Folks, Lixiang has let you down. Lixiang has failed everyone's expectations. Yes, I did take the three hundred taels of gold, and it was after everyone dispersed. I asked people to pick it up from the ground, but I didn't use it.
The expansion of armaments was not reported, and even the soldiers of the Divine Power Army were not even given a spoonful of food. I misappropriated everything."
The whole place was in an uproar. Some people didn't believe it at first, but now they heard Fan Lixiang cry and say it. Some young men clenched their fists, some old people shed tears, and some women held their children and watched quietly.
There is the fragrance of fanli and the sound of boiling is everywhere.
"But." Fan Lixiang suddenly shouted hoarsely: "Do you know why? Do you know why I do this? Folks in Xiangyang, you are happy. You live in the prefecture of Jingzhou, and there is complete water conservancy in the city.
, and Uncle Liu Huang is releasing water for you from the Han River.
But you will never know that in Changsha on the south bank of the river, the flood victims there are still homeless. What kind of situation they are in when the heavy rain hits? Do you know?
Have you ever seen a tent blown away and a family of three getting wet in the heavy rain? Have you ever seen an old man fall into a quagmire? Have you ever seen a child risking his life by crossing a river and being swept away by the flood? Have you ever seen a child with a high fever?
, can we still live in a wet and cold cave and eat cold food?"
The excited people calmed down and looked intently at Fan Lixiang, whose pear blossoms were covered with rain, and the woman holding her child, with red eyes.
"You didn't." Fan Lixiang said loudly: "You know that the victims there were affected by the disaster, but you don't know the real plight of the victims. But I saw it. I, Fan Lixiang, saw it. And I am the prefect of Changsha. I am one of those helpless people.
Parents of the victims who have returned home, I should have allowed them to live a peaceful and prosperous life like you, but now, they have been killed.
I couldn't forgive myself, so I picked up the gold that I personally dropped one by one, so I did not hesitate to accept the eggs, flour, and grain sent by the people of Xiangyang. I know you are not rich either.
However, the people of Changsha need these things more."
Fan Lixiang swallowed hard, wiped her tears, and continued: "Folks of Xiangyang, Uncle Liu is a good lord and a good official for thousands of people. You may not know that when Uncle Liu's army entered outside Xiangyang City,
, the army's food and grass were gone, and Jiangling had the last batch of food and grass left. However, when the two rivers burst their banks, Liu Huangshu decisively ordered disaster relief and distributed Jiangling's rations to the victims.
I still remember that time when Liu Biao's old troops in Xiling rebelled. How many soldiers did Liu Huangshu sacrifice in order to transport food from Yizhou to the victims? How many materials were buried? But Liu Huangshu ordered that even if a thousand shi of grain could only be transported, one shi would be transported.
We must also keep moving, because every stone can save hundreds of more victims.
At that time, each soldier's daily ration was only one-third of the original, and Uncle Liu Huang did not eat a grain of rice for three days."
Liu Zhang, who had not eaten a grain of rice for three days, closed his eyes and listened quietly. The Sichuan soldiers only remembered that food was really tight at that time, but they also felt proud at this time, as if they had really eaten only three points for the victims.
One ration is the same.
"You may ask why we didn't withdraw our troops at that time. I can't answer you, because Uncle Liu is the emperor's uncle, and it is his responsibility to help the big man. We can't blame him harshly. Likewise, as the governor of Changsha, on behalf of the people of Changsha, I also
There is no way to blame the lack of food and the failure to fully resettle the victims.
Because, uncle Huang, he has tried his best."
Fan Lixiang continued: "But the emperor did his best. As the governor of Changsha, I have my own responsibility. I have the responsibility to do my best to make the victims live a better life, even if it is just a drop in the bucket."
When the heavy rain comes, do you know? You may be enjoying the refreshing feeling of the heavy rain, but I, watching every drop of rain, clench my heart together, as if I can see the helpless women, children and the elderly crying in the heavy rain between the rivers.
.
I admit that I am selfish. I am the governor of Changsha, so for the sake of the people of Changsha, I concealed the three hundred taels of gold and secretly handed it over to my jurisdiction. I admit that I deceived everyone. The eggs and vegetables everyone sent
I did not distribute copper coins and food to my soldiers. Instead, I sent them all to the disaster area.
I also admit that I, Fan Lixiang, am very shameless. Just now I was scolding the family for their dirty money, which is stained by the common people's wealth and anointing. It is all the blood and sweat of the long-term tenant farmers. But the next moment, I personally pulled the money from the ground.
When they pick it up, they are even afraid of missing a grain of gold sand.
I admit that I was wrong. I embezzled public funds, which is an unforgivable crime, but if I had to choose again, I would do it again."
Fan Lixiang kowtowed again and buried her head deeply. Her hair was scattered on the grass, and the bright red brocade ribbon on her shoulders was flying in the wind.
All the people looked at Fan Lixiang quietly, with a look of sadness on their faces. Although they did not speak, they could not hide the surging emotions in their hearts.
What a good general and what a good prefect. For the sake of the people, he would rather bear the death penalty himself. Thinking of the miserable scenes in the disaster area mentioned by Fan Lixiang, many people secretly wept, and their sympathy was always the same.
Liu Zhang listened sentence by sentence and looked at Fan Lixiang, who was kneeling on the ground in military uniform. He felt that this woman simply understood the essence of the propaganda war of later generations, exaggeration, parallelism, vivid appeal, and the last few words "I admit it."
.
Moreover, when mobilizing the emotions of the target of publicity, she did not forget to bring herself as a state shepherd. The only advantage of this is to prevent the guest from taking over the host. Fan Lixiang must establish her own tall image, but she must not ruin Liu Zhang's reputation. Otherwise, not only will she
The subordinates could not stand, and Liu Zhang could not rely on her.
If you went to provide disaster relief, wouldn't that make me, the lord, insensitive?
But now, Liu Zhang could only follow Fan Lixiang's words. If he followed, he would be able to bring fame to himself, so why not do it.
Fan Lixiang acquitted herself of the crime, aroused the sympathy of the people, established her own image, avoided dissatisfaction with Liu Zhang, and also demoted Sima Xiang and other noble families to be worthless.
"Just now I was reprimanding the family for their dirty money, which is stained by the common people's blood and sweat, and the next moment..."
Kill five birds with one stone.
"Fan Lixiang's influence is still limited now. If Fan Lixiang becomes powerful, it will definitely be a threat to himself."
For the first time, Liu Zhang felt threatened by his subordinates, but at least the threat had not yet formed. Fan Lixiang's image in the hearts of the people helped to change the overall image of the Sichuan Army.
The most important thing is that Fan Lixiang is not hypocritical except for exaggerating. Although Liu Zhang ordered disaster relief, ancient times are different from modern times. Whether it is rescue, resettlement, or reconstruction, it cannot be so fast. The victims must
After a painful process.
Liu Zhang believed that Fan Lixiang must have used the three hundred taels of gold for disaster relief, and did not deceive the people. For the same reason, Fan Lixiang only loved power, not money.
Three hundred taels of gold is of no use to her, but donating it to the disaster area can not only gain the favor of the people in the disaster area, but also establish her own reputation. Now it seems that Fan Lixiang has already prepared this rhetoric and is waiting for it.
Qin Ming and Sima Xiang came to sue him.
Liu Zhang said loudly: "Fan Lixiang overstepped her authority and secretly misappropriated public funds for disaster relief. This is illegal and should be severely punished. However, in view of her good intentions, she will be fined three months' salary and all of it will be donated to the disaster area."
No matter how Fan Lixiang hypes her up, she has indeed done something for the victims. If exaggeration and exaggeration are deception, then it can be considered a good intention.
Otherwise, if Fan Lixiang is simply deceiving, Liu Zhang may follow her advice this time, but he will definitely find a way to eliminate it as soon as possible. There is no need for a pure politician.
"Long live General Fan, long live Uncle Liu Huang."
The people cheered, Fan Lixiang's image was once again elevated, and Sima Xiang, whose face was ashen on the side, was now just a piece of shit in the eyes of the people.
Gao Pei, who was far away, couldn't stand it. Today was the last day for Pang Tong to leave or stay. If the matter was revealed like this, let's not talk about how arrogant Fan Lixiang was. Pang Tong was determined to leave.
Gao Pei slapped his horse and rushed out. Pang Tong didn't even shout to stop him. Pang Tong looked at Gao Pei's back and shook his head, but the expression on his face was very complicated.
"My lord, the general has nothing to say for misappropriating public funds and recruiting craftsmen. However, although Fan Lixiang's troops and horses have not been registered, they are also soldiers and horses of the Sichuan Army. Can they be mobilized and disposed of at will without registration? Then
From now on, when we recruit troops, before they are registered, can we command those recruits at will?"
"Gao Pei, why are you so stubborn?" Zhang Ren scolded. Before the ceremony, the cracks in the general were exposed, which was not a good thing in the first place. But now after Fan Lixiang's lecture, the bad things finally turned into good things. Zhang Ren also wanted to accept the good things.
But this stupid guy jumped out.
Gao Pei held his head high, feeling that what he said made sense.
But the next moment, Gao Pei regretted it. Countless angry eyes were cast around him, and the people pointed at Gao Pei. Gao Pei felt like his whole body was being pricked by needles, and he collapsed after only a moment.
At this moment, a general galloped over and said something in Zhang Ren's ear. Zhang Ren frowned and glanced at Qin Ming, as if he had something to say but was hesitant.
Qin Ming's face darkened, with a hint of foreboding.
"What's the matter?" Liu Zhang asked in a deep voice.
Zhang Ren hesitated for a moment and stepped forward: "My lord, the young general just reported that he found countless gold, silver and jade articles in Qin Ming's house, as well as a large number of land and private house contracts. After being identified by Qin Ming's officials, these things were given by various families.
Qin Ming’s stolen goods, oh, maybe they are military supplies.”
"General Zhang, are you searching my residence?" Qin Ming said angrily.
Zhang Ren said: "I'm sorry, Lieutenant Qin, General Fan accused you of accepting bribes before the ceremony. Zhang Ren has been granted the power to command the entire army by his lord, so he has no choice but to do so."
"Fan Lixiang, you..." Qin Ming looked at Fan Lixiang and gritted his teeth.
Fan Lixiang looked sad, with some mud on her knees. Then she saw Qin Ming, who was inexplicably angry. She was even angrier than him, and said bitterly: "Qin Ming, when you accepted bribes and hid the gold and silver fields, did you ever think about it?"
Are you not ashamed of the people who have been affected by the disaster? Now that the two rivers have burst their banks, you have done something worse than a beast. If I were your general, I would kill you even if I were in charge of military law."
Fan Lixiang was filled with righteous indignation, and Qin Ming became the target of public criticism. Qin Ming's general Deng Zhi immediately came out and paid homage to Liu Zhang: "The last general has neglected his duty, please punish me."
Fan Lixiang just did that, letting two soldiers perform a play. The main purpose was to win the hearts of the people. Before Liu Zhang became jealous, the higher her popularity, the better she could keep her official position. She just framed Qin Ming by the way.
, I didn’t expect that Sima Xiang actually went to Qin Ming in order to frame him, and Qin Ming actually accepted the bribe.
"It's your own fault, you can't blame me." Fan Lixiang sighed in her heart. Fan Lixiang had never thought of using someone like Qin Ming in front of her opponent. Every time Qin Ming was humiliated, she would not pay much attention to it afterward, except to push back on the spot.
, Otherwise, Qin Ming would have been removed from the list long ago.
"Qin Ming, do you have anything to say?"
Qin Ming was speechless. The gold and silver were found from his residence. It cannot be said that they were used as military supplies.
"Take it down and leave after the ceremony." Zhang Ren shouted.
Two sergeants stepped forward and lifted Qin Ming up. Suddenly Qin Ming shouted: "Master, you can't kill me, you can't kill just me, Yang Zishang, Yang Zishang has also accepted bribes."
Except for Yang Zishang, who looked as usual, everyone was shocked. Even Fan Lixiang changed her color slightly. She didn't expect Qin Ming to bite him before he died. He just wanted to teach Qin Ming a lesson, but he didn't want to escalate the situation. In this way, it would inevitably
Causing Liu Zhang's dissatisfaction was not what Fan Lixiang wanted to see.